- New shock absorbers
- Socket set
- Wrench set
- Jack and jack stands
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
Instructions:
1. Prepare your vehicle. Park your Kia Rio on a level surface and apply the parking brake. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down. Engage the emergency brake. Engage the parking brake, and chock the wheels. Engage the parking brake to keep the vehicle from shifting.
2. Locate the shock absorbers. The rear shock absorbers are located on the underside of the vehicle, near the wheels. They are connected to the suspension arms with bolts.
3. Loosen the lug nuts. Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the wheels that are closest to the shock absorbers. Do not remove the lug nuts completely at this point.
4. Jack up the vehicle. Place a jack under the vehicle, near the rear wheel. Raise the vehicle until the tires are off the ground.
5. Support the vehicle. Place jack stands under the vehicle, near the frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands until it is securely supported.
6. Remove the wheels. Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheels.
7. Unbolt the shock absorbers. Use a wrench to unbolt the shock absorbers from the suspension arms. Be careful not to drop the bolts.
8. Remove the old shock absorbers. Once the bolts are removed, you can remove the old shock absorbers from the vehicle.
9. Install the new shock absorbers. Insert the new shock absorbers into the suspension arms. Be sure to align the bolt holes correctly.
10. Bolt the shock absorbers in place. Use a wrench to bolt the shock absorbers in place. Tighten the bolts until they are snug.
11. Reinstall the wheels. Reinstall the lug nuts and hand tighten. Lower the vehicle back down until the wheels are on the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench in a star pattern. Then lower the vehicle all the way.
12. Test drive the vehicle. Take your Kia Rio for a test drive to ensure that the new shock absorbers are working properly.
Note: Replacing the rear shock absorbers on a Kia Rio is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour. However, if you are not comfortable working on your own vehicle, you can have it done by a qualified mechanic.
